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Thursday, May 26, 2016

Thankful Thursday - The Journey

"No one escapes the wilderness on the way to the promised land." Annie Dillard.

There were times I hung around life....waiting....desperate for things that never seemed to happen. I held onto hope even when it seemed impossible for things I yearned for to become reality.

I mopped around, and languished in the belief that the things I ached for, home, family, peace - were for others, not for me. Simple things. Everyday things. Things nevertheless I hungered to have with all my heart. The wilderness, the times of emptiness and longing had purpose though. I see it now. It was a place to pass through to get to where I wanted.

I've discovered there's a beauty in the wilderness and lessons to be learned, lessons that have never left me. The most important is gratitude. Making it through left me with tremendous gratitude - gratitude for the small stuff, the everyday, the sun rising and setting, the sweet smell of grass and trees and flowers, the smile on a stranger's face, the kindness of those I meet everyday.

And having trekked the wilderness taught me to let go of certain things and also to trust. The tough times don't last forever. They are only a stopover place.

A friend used to tell me all the time, 'this too shall pass.' I didn't believe it then, but I know it to be true today. Have an amazing Thursday, Guys.

7 comments:

I guess there is always a reason why we go through the wilderness. If we're teachable then we learn from it. The tough times never last forever but then the mountain top highs never do either. I too have learned to have gratitude for the small every day things. I actually love them because there is always something to savour like that first cup of coffee in the morning or a hug from a grandchild. I have also come to appreciate those dandelions on my lawn because it means that spring is here. Waking up and knowing He is there is the best thing of all. Have a lovely day, Nikki, and thanks for sharing from your heart.

I wonder if I will ever get to that point of believing it will pass... sometimes, more often than I like to admit... it is still too painful and I have a hard time believing it will be any different... I have hope though since you felt the same way and it changed for you Nikki... maybe one day...

"This too shall pass." Yes, my mom used to say that to me when I was growing up. It is so true, not only of the bad times, but also of the good. It was a reminder to me to enjoy the good times as much as possible when they were around. Have a great weekend, Nikki!

There are good times and bad times in everyone's life. Gratitude is above it all. Like you, I've learnt to appreciate its value and practice it by being grateful to God and thankful to people that show me kindness. Happiness is indeed in the little, everyday things, and I try to be grateful for them; the emphasis should be on gratitude for what we have, not for what we want.

What a most thoughtful post ...I do so appreciate your words here" gratitude for the small stuff, the everyday, the sun rising and setting, the sweet smell of grass and trees and flowers, the smile on a stranger's face, the kindness of those I meet everyday."We should remember these and be thankful.

As Melody Beattie once said: "Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life." It really does. I'm traveling through a wilderness of my own, looking for the good things and grateful for each one. Blessings to you on your journey.